PM2.5 Annual Mean

The maps are based on the RIO-corine interpolation technique. The calculated concentrations are representative of areas with a surface area of 4x4 km2. The concentrations may locally be higher or lower. The modelled concentrations are subject to a certain degree of uncertainty. The uncertainty increases with the distance to the measuring station.

The European limit value for protection of human health from long-term exposure to PM2.5 was set at 25 µg/m³ as the annual mean concentration. However, compliance by the various member states with this limit value is not required until 2015. Until then, the 25 µg/m³ limit is used as target value. In 2012, the annual mean PM2.5 concentration was less than 25 µg/m³ everywhere in Belgium. The spatially average PM2.5 concentration across Belgium was 12.2 µg/m³. The maximum concentration of 21.4 µg/m³ was calculated in the Brussels-Capital Region. Concentrations above 20 µg/m³, which is the European indicative limit value in 2020, also occurred in the areas of the Ghent, Antwerp and Ostend ports. The lowest concentrations, below the WHO guideline value of 10 µg/m³, were recorded south of the Sambre and Meuse valley.